In recent times, it just wouldn’t feel like a country cup meeting without the appearance of the Brent Lilley/Tristan Larsen combination.
During the past 12 months, the duo have won an incredible nine provincial features, including last season’s Swan Hill Trotters’ Cup with El Conqueror.
Trained by Lilley and driven by Larsen, El Conqueror led from the pole to score from his stablemate, Maestro, in 2:04.6 for the 2240-metre stand.
Fast forward to today’s meeting and Lilley and Larsen will return to Swan Hill in a bid for consecutive wins in the event.
This time around, Lilley and Larsen will contest the 2790-metre handicap with Kennywould, who is first-up since finishing third in Wagga on March 30.
The sole runner on the 10-metre line, Kennywould has produced several eye-catching trial efforts in recent weeks.
“He has trialled very solidly and his work has been strong,” Larsen said. “He is fresh-up after a few months, but we are happy enough with where he is at.
“Hopefully, he takes that trial and track work to the races today. It will also depend on how well he steps, but he usually steps well from the tapes.”
As was the case last year, Lilley has two runners in the field, with Queen Kizen drawn one on the 20-metre mark.
Jordan Leedham will partner the daughter of What The Hill.
“She is also going well and gets her chance in an open field,” Larsen said. “Usually, whichever one gets the best run wins these races, so hopefully that’s us, as we can go back-to-back.
“Another quinella will be even better.”
